Aug
19
2006
Algeria
We watched the documentary-style classic The Battle of Algiers for the first time the other night.
After 130 years of being the colonial rulers in Algeria, in 1957 the French became targets of a sudden and violent terrorist uprising among the native Muslim population of the city. It was brutally crushed by French terrorism including quarantine of whole sections of the city, torture, and assassination.
I am not an expert at all on these events. But » Continue Reading »
Mar
31
2006
I’ve been over at that nursing blog again (NursingDaze). Here are some quotes about a Norwegian philosopher-nurse justifying compassion as a basic value.
Kari Martinsen is an intense Norwegian nurse and philosopher … The Norwegian Nurses’ Association in 2001 adopted a new code of ethics that named compassion as one of the basic values of nursing care. This stems from the theoretical work done by Martinsen.
Caring is central to nursing. It involves
- concern and love for one’s neighbor
- that is coupled with concrete, professional and moral discernment.
» Continue Reading »
Jan
18
2005
I. THE PROBLEM
[See a summary of this post.]
Matthew 5:38-42
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Is it ever appropriate for Christians to resist authority? Many of us feel there is much in the behavior of our national leaders that cries out for criticism and resistance. Are Christians permitted to do that? Does “turn the other cheek” mean we should be doormats?
“Doormat” was not Jesus’ style, nor the style of his followers » Continue Reading »